3 Tech Gadgets That Changed My Life

Technology and I are do not always get along like peas and carrots, but luckily I married a technology wizard. He has introduced me to many fabulous tools that have made my life so much easier. Sure, I may have resisted a couple of them for a while, but eventually I caved and cannot imagine my life without them.  Check out the three technology gadgets that have changed my life for the better!

Roku

The Roku is a streaming media player that has revolutionized the way my family watches TV.  Utilizing a streaming media player is key for “cord-cutters,” otherwise known as people who prefer paying for services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime over the traditional cable services.  We have tried Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku – with Roku having the best results.  The Roku is very easy to navigate, has an appealing interface, and can be troubleshooted by even the most technologically challenged if errors occur.

There are many different options to choose from when purchasing a Roku player. We have three different types on three different televisions: The ULTRA, 4K Streaming Stick, and Roku Express.  I have not noticed a difference in the three different options (besides price), but my husband says is that the express does not have as nice of a remote and the Ultra has more output options (in case you would like to physically plug into ethernet instead of running it on WIFI or have optical audio output).

After you install your Roku, I highly suggest that you download the app to your phone.  The feature from the app that I use the most is the remote, because I have complete mom brain and cannot ever remember where I placed the TV remote .  However, there is also a feature on your phone where you can connect your headphones to have private listening.  This has come in handy when my husband and I want to watch a movie but need to do it quietly so our children do not wake up.  

PLEX

The Plex Media Server is our favorite app we have downloaded on our devices.  In our very digital world, Plex is a one stop shop for playing downloaded media.  We store our digital movies and television shows on Plex.  It looks up the media files and relabels the files making it easier to sort and browse.  Plex can also be run on a single computer without being connected to the internet, so you have access to your hundreds or thousands of downloaded movies wherever you are. 

AIR TV

Air TV is a box that connects to the Sling App (which is an app you can use to purchase a few cable channels to be streamed through your tv).  This box connects to an outdoor antennae and streams local channels to all of your devices, so you do not miss your morning news!  It can also DVR local channels, which is a pretty nifty feature if you do not have cable.

 

Roomba

The Roku revolutionized how we watch tv, but my greatest purchase is our Roomba.  Why did we decide to get a Roomba?  Well, when my daughter started crawling she would pick up every crumb and piece of dog hair off our floor.  It was gross.  She was obviously giving me signs that I could not keep up with the vacuuming, so I decided to try out the robot vacuum craze.

Our Roomba is very outdated compared to the vacuum robots you can purchase today, but it works like a dream.  The older model was cheaper because it does not have fancy technology to start it from my phone or set up a floor plan of my house to create vacuuming boundaries.  I typically just start my model when I leave the house, and make boundaries with furniture if I only want to vacuum certain rooms.  There is nothing better than coming home to all of the “cleaning lines” in the carpet without doing any work!  

Bose Quiet Comfort Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

 

Phew – that was a mouthful! Our Bose headphones have been a saving grace for my husband and I.  These wireless headphones connect to your devices through bluetooth technology so you are able to listen to music, podcasts, and movies without being connected to a cord.  The best part of these headphones is that they are noise cancelling headphones.  You cannot hear your toddler screaming in the next room or obnoxious passengers on an airplane; you are completely immersed in song or silence.  They are a little pricey, but I highly suggest purchasing a pair if you are in need of a device that drowns out the world around you.

What pieces of technology have made your life easier? Did any of yours make the list?  

 

Jillian Henry
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Jillian has called many states home since she left the beer and cheese state five years ago. Currently, she resides in Derby with her husband, one-year-old daughter, and four-year-old “Boshih” (Boston Terrier Shih-Tzu mix). Jillian has a bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Psychology, but her favorite role is taking care of her daughter as a stay-at-home mom. When Jillian is not moving across the continental United States, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, singing the Moana soundtrack in its entirety, exploring nature, catching up with friends, and eating any gluten-free dessert she can get her hands on. Jillian is looking forward to learning more about Wichita while experiencing life on the plains.